Fred Minor

About

Born in the Third Ward of New Orleans, banjoist, guitarist, and bass drummer Frederick C. “H.E.” Minor Jr. (1913-1985) began with spasm bands on the street before taking lessons from banjoist Narvin Kimball and Manny Sayles in 1928. He was working professionally with Captain John Handy in 1929 before joining Sidney Desvigne on the riverboats in the 1930s. During the 1940s and 50s he performed regularly with Paul Barbarin’s Jazz Band, and in the 1960s played in Noon Johnson’s Bazooka Trio, with Kid Sheik’s band, and on bass drum with Olympia Brass Band.